Buick

Buick Announces Pricing for 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist

June 13, 2011

When the 2012 LaCrosse was launched at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Buick touted its new eAssist powertrain as a fuel-saving technology that could increase fuel economy by 25 percent compared to the four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain in the 2011 LaCrosse. Pricing for Buick’s LaCrosse luxury sedan and its fuel-saving eAssist powertrain will start at $29,960 before an $860 destination charge, when the vehicle goes on sale in just a few months.

How the eAssist Powertrain Saves Fuel

Standard on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, the new eAssist powertrain combines a 115-volt lithium-ion battery system with an electric motor-generator, as well as engine stop/start features and regenerative braking capability to significantly improve LaCrosse sedan’s fuel economy over previous light-hybrid systems. Mated to a 2.4-liter/180-horsepower Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission, the eAssist system uses power stored in the battery to offer additional boost when needed to optimize engine and transmission operation.

The 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist promises fuel economy figures of 37 mpg highway and 25 mpg city — placing the Buick luxury sedan’s fuel economy ahead of the Lexus HS Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, as well as non-hybrids like the Acura TL, Lexus ES350, and Lincoln MKS.

Although eAssist is the standard powertrain, a new, more powerful and more efficient version of the direct-injected, E85-capable 303-horsepower/3.6-liter V-6 engine will also be available at no additional cost on select trim levels. An all-wheel drive version is also available.

The 3.6-liter engine’s new, integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design and a composite intake manifold help reduce its weight by more than 20 pounds, which increases horsepower without any loss in fuel efficiency. The direct-injected engine also warms up faster, which can cut emissions of unburned hydrocarbons by up to 25 percent.

2012 Buick LaCrosse Features

When it becomes available for sale later this year, the 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist will come with standard Buick IntelliLink, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a new 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio. Buick IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices with each vehicle’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, and expands on Buick’s current Bluetooth and USB capabilities to allow smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio.

Buick “Quest for the Keys” Scavenger Hunt

Buick is using a social media scavenger hunt to build awareness of its brand with its “Quest for the Keys” program. The Quest for the Keys contest is underway, with one game already completed in Atlanta, one game currently underway in Chicago, and several more still to come in Miami, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Austin, Texas. Find out more about Buick’s “Quest for the Keys” Scavenger Hunt here at TrueCar.com.

Shopping for a New Buick?

Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, and powertrains promising responsive-yet-efficient performance. If you’re shopping for a new Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne, Regal, be sure to visit TrueCar.com, where you can find out what other people in your area have actually paid for new Buick cars. At TrueCar.com, you can find the latest, most comprehensive, and unbiased pricing information, as well as complete specifications, trim options, and lock in a price on the best deals on new cars in your area.